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Friday, September 04, 2009

Re: [AlpacaTalk] Re: I Wish...Alpacanation.....had listed...

 

Oh heck no, no one gets kicked off AlpacaTalk for trying to find the best price on supplies! In fact, no one has ever been removed, except obvious spammers who try to sell real estate timeshares or prescription drugs. :) And I always shop around to find the best deal I can get.


However, as a producer, it kills me to see alpaca fleece going for $2/oz or less. I don't know what quality this fleece at that price is. I do know that my mature, not fine, fleeces spin up to make really nice yarn with wonderful handle. As long as it's sent through a de-hairer. :) I want the most I can get for my fleeces and at each level of processing.

The thing is, since this is luxury fiber, the people who can easily afford luxury items think nothing of a $45 scarf. I don't intend to sell my handwoven scarves made from my handspun yarn for a penny less than $75, and depending on the complexity and uniqueness, they may well be priced much higher, 2-3x as much... 

But, that's just my opinion.

Heather



On Sep 4, 2009, at 5:25 PM, Tawny Bott wrote:


Hi Carla,
 
I don't think you'll get kicked off the site, you just hit a sore spot with Heather and many other alpaca owners that know their fleece. And each farm has a different idea of what their fiber is worth. It's not always easy to try and sell good fiber, when the farm next door is almost willing to give it away because they can't or don't want to figure out a use for it. (smile)
It's not unusual for fiber fanatics to make deals with farms where they will get a fleece free, return 1/2 of it as a finished product and keep the other half for themselves.
 
I also have handspinners that either come to my shearing day or right after and buy the whole fleece right off the animal so to speak. As they buy in mass and they are generally also spinning to make a living, I price lower for them, especially as they come back every year. If I have to pick and clean the fleece, the price goes up and of course if it is carded or in roving again it's more. When it costs a minimum of $25.00 to get your alpaca sheared, unless you do it yourself, then another $25.00 a lb to get your fleece processed to roving or bats at a mill, it's unfortunate, but that has to be passed on the the consumer.
 
As you explained what you are trying to do, I'm sure we allunderstand your comments.
Best of luck in your endeavors.
Sincerely,
Tawny Bott

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posted by Chaddo at 7:22 PM 0 comments

Free Alpacas Newsletter- How to Profit from Alpaca Farming

Re: [AlpacaTalk] Re: I Wish...Alpacanation.....had listed...

 

Hi Carla,
 
I don't think you'll get kicked off the site, you just hit a sore spot with Heather and many other alpaca owners that know their fleece. And each farm has a different idea of what their fiber is worth. It's not always easy to try and sell good fiber, when the farm next door is almost willing to give it away because they can't or don't want to figure out a use for it. (smile)
It's not unusual for fiber fanatics to make deals with farms where they will get a fleece free, return 1/2 of it as a finished product and keep the other half for themselves.
 
I also have handspinners that either come to my shearing day or right after and buy the whole fleece right off the animal so to speak. As they buy in mass and they are generally also spinning to make a living, I price lower for them, especially as they come back every year. If I have to pick and clean the fleece, the price goes up and of course if it is carded or in roving again it's more. When it costs a minimum of $25.00 to get your alpaca sheared, unless you do it yourself, then another $25.00 a lb to get your fleece processed to roving or bats at a mill, it's unfortunate, but that has to be passed on the the consumer.
 
As you explained what you are trying to do, I'm sure we all understand your comments.
Best of luck in your endeavors.
Sincerely,
Tawny Bott
-------Original Message-------
 
Date: 9/4/2009 6:04:14 PM
Subject: [AlpacaTalk] Re: I Wish...Alpacanation.....had listed...
 
 

I'm so sorry I started this thread...I really am...I hope I dont get kicked off of this site..but here goes..
I'm trying to buy good fiber for a very good price..yes way below what some are asking..I clean it and spin it...when I can (I'm diabled)and knit either by hand or with my machine..I can make a beautiful blanket for a lap or for a child, vest..and all with designs. I hope to sell them back to farms are a VERY LOW price for my work, so that they can make money and get the alpacas fleece out there to more people.
I read the post..and know that many talk about eating these beautiful animals...(I'm not a meat eater :O) and for those that can and are..its ok..but if I could help bring the fiber market one step more...I'm willing to do that...so..I shop for the best prices. I do not see people buying scarves at 45+ dollars when in these times its a meal. Also they may by two at a lower price?
I know this fleece is nothing but luxury at best..I only knit or crochet Alpaca for my friends and family!
Again..if I could take this back I would..I'm so sorry if I upset anyone..and please dont make me leave?
Carla Martin
Bedrock Acres
Greenville SC 29609

--- In AlpacaTalk@yahoogroups.com, Heather Zeleny <alpacatalk@...> wrote:
>
> This is a major thorn in my side! Growers need to be pricing alpaca
> like the luxury fiber that it is! Not selling at sheep wool prices.
> Really aggravates me!
>
>
> Heather
>
> Heather Zeleny
> White Lotus Alpacas
> Oregon
>
> Holistic Farm and Elite Fleece
> http://www.whitelotusalpacas.com
> http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/AlpacaTalk/join
>
> On Sep 4, 2009, at 4:01 PM, carla_cats wrote:
>
> > Wow...prices are higher...I think I will go back to the farms....do
> > they know I wonder that farms are underselling?
> > Carla Martin
> > Bedrock Acres
> > Greenville sc 29609
>

 
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posted by Chaddo at 5:25 PM 0 comments

Free Alpacas Newsletter- How to Profit from Alpaca Farming

[AlpacaTalk] Re: I Wish...Alpacanation.....had listed...

 

I'm so sorry I started this thread...I really am...I hope I dont get kicked off of this site..but here goes..
I'm trying to buy good fiber for a very good price..yes way below what some are asking..I clean it and spin it...when I can (I'm diabled)and knit either by hand or with my machine..I can make a beautiful blanket for a lap or for a child, vest..and all with designs. I hope to sell them back to farms are a VERY LOW price for my work, so that they can make money and get the alpacas fleece out there to more people.
I read the post..and know that many talk about eating these beautiful animals...(I'm not a meat eater :O) and for those that can and are..its ok..but if I could help bring the fiber market one step more...I'm willing to do that...so..I shop for the best prices. I do not see people buying scarves at 45+ dollars when in these times its a meal. Also they may by two at a lower price?
I know this fleece is nothing but luxury at best..I only knit or crochet Alpaca for my friends and family!
Again..if I could take this back I would..I'm so sorry if I upset anyone..and please dont make me leave?
Carla Martin
Bedrock Acres
Greenville SC 29609

--- In AlpacaTalk@yahoogroups.com, Heather Zeleny <alpacatalk@...> wrote:
>
> This is a major thorn in my side! Growers need to be pricing alpaca
> like the luxury fiber that it is! Not selling at sheep wool prices.
> Really aggravates me!
>
>
> Heather
>
> Heather Zeleny
> White Lotus Alpacas
> Oregon
>
> Holistic Farm and Elite Fleece
> http://www.whitelotusalpacas.com
> http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/AlpacaTalk/join
>
> On Sep 4, 2009, at 4:01 PM, carla_cats wrote:
>
> > Wow...prices are higher...I think I will go back to the farms....do
> > they know I wonder that farms are underselling?
> > Carla Martin
> > Bedrock Acres
> > Greenville sc 29609
>

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posted by Chaddo at 5:03 PM 0 comments

Free Alpacas Newsletter- How to Profit from Alpaca Farming

Re: [AlpacaTalk] Re: I Wish...Alpacanation.....had listed...

 

This is a major thorn in my side! Growers need to be pricing alpaca like the luxury fiber that it is! Not selling at sheep wool prices. Really aggravates me!



Heather

Heather Zeleny
White Lotus Alpacas
Oregon

Holistic Farm and Elite Fleece

On Sep 4, 2009, at 4:01 PM, carla_cats wrote:

Wow...prices are higher...I think I will go back to the farms....do they know I wonder that farms are underselling?
Carla Martin
Bedrock Acres
Greenville sc 29609

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posted by Chaddo at 4:22 PM 0 comments

Free Alpacas Newsletter- How to Profit from Alpaca Farming

[AlpacaTalk] Re: I Wish...Alpacanation.....had listed...

 

Wow...prices are higher...I think I will go back to the farms....do they know I wonder that farms are underselling?
Carla Martin
Bedrock Acres
Greenville sc 29609

--- In AlpacaTalk@yahoogroups.com, "carla_cats" <CARLA0@...> wrote:
>
> OOPPS! >turning red< I'm very embarrased now..but a very happy person to find all this fiber!
> Thanks
> Carla Martin
> Bedrock Acres
> Greenville sc 29609
>
>
>
>
> --- In AlpacaTalk@yahoogroups.com, Judith Korff/Ladysong Farm <judithkorff@> wrote:
> >
> > AlpacaNation DOES have a listing for fiber.  If you click on "Add & Edit Listings" you will find that the drop-down menu does have Fiber as a category. 
> >  
> > Judith Korff
> > LadySong Farm
> > Music to Your Wallet
> > Randolph, New York 14772 
> > Cell: (716) 499-0383
> > www.alpacanation.com/ladysong.asp
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ________________________________
> >
>

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posted by Chaddo at 4:01 PM 0 comments

Free Alpacas Newsletter- How to Profit from Alpaca Farming

[AlpacaTalk] Re: I Wish...Alpacanation.....had listed...

 

OOPPS! >turning red< I'm very embarrased now..but a very happy person to find all this fiber!
Thanks
Carla Martin
Bedrock Acres
Greenville sc 29609

--- In AlpacaTalk@yahoogroups.com, Judith Korff/Ladysong Farm <judithkorff@...> wrote:
>
> AlpacaNation DOES have a listing for fiber.  If you click on "Add & Edit Listings" you will find that the drop-down menu does have Fiber as a category. 
>  
> Judith Korff
> LadySong Farm
> Music to Your Wallet
> Randolph, New York 14772 
> Cell: (716) 499-0383
> www.alpacanation.com/ladysong.asp
>
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
>

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posted by Chaddo at 3:55 PM 0 comments

Free Alpacas Newsletter- How to Profit from Alpaca Farming

Re: [AlpacaTalk] I Wish...Alpacanation.....had listed...

 

AlpacaNation DOES have a listing for fiber.  If you click on "Add & Edit Listings" you will find that the drop-down menu does have Fiber as a category. 
 
Judith Korff
LadySong Farm
Music to Your Wallet
Randolph, New York 14772 
Cell: (716) 499-0383
 


From: carla_cats <CARLA0@aol.com>
To: AlpacaTalk@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, September 4, 2009 6:26:24 PM
Subject: [AlpacaTalk] I Wish...Alpacanation.....had listed...

 

I wish Alpacanation had on its listings...a place for farms to sell fiber..some ..very few have it under Fiber Packages! Most looking for fiber really do not know to look there..I happened to find a couple of farms selling their fiber there while looking for male fiber packages...do you think they will ever change that? When someone ask me where to buy fiber...and I know they are really fiber nuts..lol..I tell them to go there and look under the fiber boys! Don't try to buy it on ebay or anywhere else..but go to the farms!
Just a thought...
Carla Martin
Bedrock Acres
Greenville Sc 29609

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posted by Chaddo at 3:45 PM 0 comments

Free Alpacas Newsletter- How to Profit from Alpaca Farming

[AlpacaTalk] I Wish...Alpacanation.....had listed...

 

I wish Alpacanation had on its listings...a place for farms to sell fiber..some ..very few have it under Fiber Packages! Most looking for fiber really do not know to look there..I happened to find a couple of farms selling their fiber there while looking for male fiber packages...do you think they will ever change that? When someone ask me where to buy fiber...and I know they are really fiber nuts..lol..I tell them to go there and look under the fiber boys! Don't try to buy it on ebay or anywhere else..but go to the farms!
Just a thought...
Carla Martin
Bedrock Acres
Greenville Sc 29609

__._,_.___
Message posts are the opinion of individuals posting and are not necessarily endorsed or approved by Yahoo! or the moderator of this group. The purpose of this discussion group is to ensure that all points of view can be aired. It is the responsbilty of all individuals who post to treat others with respect and civility.
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posted by Chaddo at 3:26 PM 0 comments

Free Alpacas Newsletter- How to Profit from Alpaca Farming

[AlpacaTalk] The Mystery is Why Some Sell so Many

 

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posted by Chaddo at 6:18 AM 0 comments